Electrical regulator



A. A. TIRRILL.

ELECTRICAL REGULATOR. APPLICATION FILED SEPT-13, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES v INVENTOR $2M fl. 9 551424. Allen 4. 77rri/l A. A. TIRRILL.

ELECTRICAL REGULATOR.

APPLICATION nuzn SEPT- I3, 1916.

Patented May 11, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR 1,015. 4. Allen ,1. 77rr/'// A. A. TIRRILL.

ELECTRICAL REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 13, 1916.

Patented May 11,1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

, WITNESSES: INVENTOR BY QM. w. ATTORNEY and State of UNITED STATES PATENT orricn ALLEN A. TIRRILL, OF PITTSBURGH, FENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRICAL REGULATOR.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALLEN A. TIRRILL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburgh in the county of Allegheny Fennsylvani'a, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electrical Regulators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to regulators of the vibratory contact type that are employed for regulating the Voltages of dynamo-electric machines by opening and closing shunt circuits to resistors that may, for instance, be included in series with field circuits of the exciters for the dynamo-electric ma.- chines.

One object ofmy invention is to provide a regulator of the character indicated that shall be exceptionally effective, accurate and reliable in operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a regulator in which the levers operated by the control and vibrating magnets may be so balanced that creeping is eliminated when the excitation of said magnets is resumed on re-connecting the regulator in circuit subsequent to having been disconnected therefrom for any reason.

' Another object of my invention is to provide a regulator that accurately responds to varying load conditions to maintain a constant voltage at a selected point in the power circuit when the power-factor obtaining therein has a value other than unity. This is accomplished by having the potential coils of both the vibrating and control magnets influenced proportionately by so-called compensating windings that may be excited through current transformers connected in circuit with the mains of the power circuit.

Another object of my invention is to provide a regulator embodying the aforesaid features and having the main contact members thereof so disposed with respect to the actuating levers that the contact members slidingly engage each other thereby eliminating the annoying sticking action.

For a better understanding of the nature and scope of my invention, reference may he had to the following description and the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1 and 2 are plan and front views, respectively,

of a regulator embodying a form of my invention; Fig. 3 is a side view of the regu- Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May 11, 1920, Application filed September 13, 1916. Serial No. 119,870.

lator shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the regulating dials employed for controlling the excitation of the compensating windings of the control and vibrating magnets, and Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the circuit connections of my regulator when employed with a generator.

The regulator comprises a cast metal base 1 that is provided upon its rear face with threaded studs 2 by means of which it may be secured to a panel (not shown) or any other suitable support. the base 1 is also provided with a bracket 8 upon which a bell-crank lever 4 is pivotally mounted at'5. One arm of the bell-crank lever 4 is substantially horizontal and the other is substantially vertical. The vertical arm is bifurcated at its lower end 6, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and provides a pivot or fulcrum 7 for a lever 8.

An electromagnet 9, called the vibrating magnet, comprises two windings 10 and 11 one of which is excited by means of a voltage transformer and the other of which is excited by means of current transformers, said transformersbeing connected in circuit with the main power circuit in a well known manner. The electromagnet 9 exerts an influence upon a magnetizable plunger 12 which extends upwardly into the coil Windings from their lower ends. The upper end The front face of of the plunger 12 is connected by means of I is connected intermediate the electromagnet 9 and the bell-crank lever 4 in brder to counter-balance the action of the electromagnet 9 on the plunger 12 under certain conditions. The weight 15 also serves to counterbalance the weight of the lever 8 and the weight of the core armature 20 upon sudden surges in the system in order to prevent any creeping action by the core armature 20.

Movement of the plunger 12 is retarded by means of a dash pot 16 the retarding action of whi h may be adjusted by means of a valve 17 associated with the dash pot. Terminals 18 are employed for connecting the magnet windings 10 and 11 in circuit, as will be hereinafter explained.

An adjustable tensional element revlevers will not change appreciably from' strains the movements of the bell-crank lever 4. To relieve the tensional element 19 from undue continuous stress which wouldresult if the plunger 12 of the electromagnet 9 were advanced downwardly into the electromagnet, as has heretofore been customary,

the plunger 12 has been positioned as shown.

One end of the lever 8 is provided with a plunger 20 which is influenced by an electromagnet 21 called the main-control magnet. This magnet likewise comprises two windings 22 and 23 that are excited by means of voltage and current transformers in a manner similar to the windings 10 and 11 of the electromagnet -9. The plunger 20 isadvanced upwardly into the electromagnet 21 and its movement is retarded by means of a dash pot 24 similar in all respects to the well known form of dash pot shown at 16.

The lever 8 is also provided with an extension 25 which projects through a slotted member 26 that serves as a stop or limiting means for the arc of rotation of the lever 8. The other end of the lever 8 is provided with a counter-weight 27 attached thereto through the intermediary of atensional element 28. Terminals 29 are provided to i make the proper circuit connections between the windings of the electromagnet 21 and the main power circuit. A string 28 extends from the lower portion of the counterweight 27 to a binding post 29 that is mounted upon the base 1. This string, prevents the counter-weight 27 from swinging when the lever 8 rocks by reason of the movement imparted to it by the plunger 20 and the rocker arm 4.

The counter-weight 15, in combination with the counter-weight 27, balances the levers 4 and 8 in such a manner that when the electromagnets 9' and 21 become deenergized for any reason, the positions of the those assumed immediately prior to the deenergization of the electromagnets. Therefore, when excitation of the electromagnets is resumed, the regulator starts regulating and beating at substantially the same point where it ceased operating. This immediate response of the regulator does away with the creeping action inherent in regu-v lators heretofore constructed and no appreciable time is therefore required to work the levers 4 and 8 back to their proper positions where they may accuratel perform their regulating functions. l%hile the weight 15 serves to determine the position of the plunger 12 under normal excitation of the electromagnets 9 and 21, it normally exerts a resultant tension of small magnitude upon the pin 14, although it does not subject the spring element 19 to unduly severe continuous tension.

One of the main contacts 30 of the regulator is positioned obliquely upona bracket assaaae 31 that is secured to the lever 8 on one side of the fulcrum 6. The other main contact member 32 is resiliently mounted upon a spring element 33 that is secured to an outwardly extending arm 34 mounted upon the face of the base 1. The stationary contact member 33 is likewise angularly dis osed to engage the movable contact 30, the atter being rounded while the former is flat. The mounting of the contacts in this manner prevents sticking as the movements of the plunger 12 of the vibrating magnet 9 impart a horizontal motion to the lever 8 which, in turn, produces a wiping action between the contacts 30 and 32. With the axis of the contact member 30' being arranged at right angles to the face of the contact member 32, an appreciable travel between the two contacts is secured which, in turn, prevents the accumulation of any oxid upon their active surfaces.

While the voltage windings upon the electromagnets 9 and 21 are not easily adjusted after having been once set in accordance with the electrical conditions obtaining in the power system to be regulated, the compensating windings of the electromagnets are readily adjusted. This is effected by means of dial switches 35 and 36 which engage, respectively, contact buttons 37 and 38 that, in turn, are connected to taps upon the current or compensating windings of the electromagnets, as will be hereinafter explained. The compensating windings upon the electromagnets are so designed that they proportionately affect their associated voltage windings.

The electromagnet 21, known as the maincontrol magnet, has heretofore been rovided with a so-called compensating winding while the other magnet, known as the vibrating magnet, has heretofore been provided with a single voltage winding only.

I have found that more accurate and prompt voltage regulation may be obtained by providing both electromagnets with compensating windin s since, in this manner, the position of t e bell-crank lever 4, as well as'the position of the lever 8, may be varied simultaneously in accordance with the electrical conditions obtaining in the regulated circuit. The compensating winding heretofore provided only on the main control magnet 21 was employed in order to maintain a constant voltage upon a circuit operating at a constant power factor. The control of the voltage of the circuit in this manner was not entirely satisfactory, but, by providing both electromagnets 9 and 21 with compensating windings, as shown, the voltage at a distant point of a regulated circuit may be maintained substantially constant under all load conditions when the circuit is operated at a substantially constant power-factor that may be'other than unity. By varying the positions of the dial switches 35 and 36 the erg citation of the compensating windings 1s controlled and their influence upon their as-' sociated voltage winding may be varied.- Therefore, the regulator may be manually adjusted to maintain a constant voltage in a regulated circuit irrespective of the value of the power-factor obtaining therein.

Referring to Fig. 4 the compensating windings of the two electromagnets 9 and 21 are diagrammatically illustrated by a series of turns positioned on each side of the panel upon which the dialswitches 35 and 36 are mounted. The compensating wind- I ing 22 of the electromagnet 21 comprises button 38 two groups of turns 39 and 39, each representing an entire layer of the winding. A third group 40 represents a third layer of convolutions upon this electromagnet. The groups of turns 39 and 39 are connected to the contact buttons 37, as shown. By varying the position of the switch member 35, large variations in the number of turns com prising the compensating winding 22 may be obtained. The third group of windings 40 is provided with a plurality of taps each being severally connected to a contact button 38. By means of the switch member 36, which engages the contact buttons 38, fine adjustments of the compensating winding may be obtained. The compensating winding 10 of the electromagnet 9 is simllarly connected to the dial mechanism.

To proportionately vary the excitation of the two compensating windings, the dial switches 35 and 36 are designed to simultaneously engage contact buttons that are connected to both compensating windings.

The circuit connections of the compensating windings through the regulating device of Fig. 4 may be traced as follows :Current may enter the terminal 29, flow along a conductor 41, a contact button 38*, a portion of the compensating winding 40, a contact the switch member 36, a contact button 38, a portion 40 of the compensating winding 10, a contact button 38 a conductor 42, a contact button 37, the compensating winding 39, a; button 37 the dial switch 35, a button 37, the winding 39 of the compensating winding 10 and a conductor 43 to the terminal 18. that in this manner both compensating windings 10 and 22 are varied proportionately by means of the two -dial switches.

The mode of operation of the regulator is somewhat similar to that of regulators heretofore constructed, but for a detailed description thereof, reference may be had to Fig. 5 in which a generator 44, operating atother than unity power factor, is con-.

nectedtoa distributing circuit 45. A field winding 46 of the generator is excited by means of a direct current eXciter 47 proto the secondary It will be noted sistor 49 is connected in series circuit with the shunt field winding 48, but is adapted to be short circuited in the well known manner by means of the regulator of the present invention. A voltage transformer 50 has its secondary winding 51 connected in two separate but parallel connected circuits of the two electromagnets 9 and 21. The voltage .winding of the electromagnet 21 is connected winding 51 through a variable res'istance element 52 and the voltage winding of the electromagnet 9 is connected to the secondary winding 51 through a variable resistance element 53. Current transformers 54 and 55 inserted in two separate supply mains 45, as shown, are connected in parallel to the terminals 29 and 18 of the compensating dial switch mechanism of Fig. 4. The connections between the dial switches and the compensating windings of the electromagnets 9 and 21' are made by means of cable conductors 56. As mentioned above, the dial switches 35 and 36 are adjusted according to the power-factor obtaining in the regulated circuit to maintain a constant voltage at a predetermined point in the circuit.

When the contact terminals 30 and 32 are disengaged, relay-magnet windings 57 and 8 are denergized, and consequently, the contact terminals 59 and 60 do not engage terminals 61 and 62, respectively. The shunt circuit to the resistor 49 of the field winding member 30 is. accordingly moved slightly toward the contact member 32. c

When the contact terminals 30 and 32 are in engagement, the relay windings 57 and 58 are energized and efiect engagement between the contact members 60 and 62 which in turn shunts a portion 53 of the resistor 53. This, in turn, increases the energization of the voltage winding of the electromagnet 9. The main contacts 30 and 32 repeatedly open and close the shunt circuit to the portion 53 of the resistor which, in turn, causes the vibrating electromagnet to be variably energized. In a similar manner, the shunt circuit around the resistor 49 of the eXciter 47 is repeatedly opened and closed. The position of the contact member 30 relative to the contact member 32 is-regulated by the levers 4 and 8, as mentioned above, the positions of which, in turn, are determined by means of the plunger magnets 12 and 20, respectively. As the main contact members 30 and 32 engage and disengage all the the generator terminals 44 in a wel v relays are simultaneously closed and opened will be understood that many modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with an electrical circuit to be regulated, of a regulator comprising a balanced lever system having cooperating contact members, and a vibrating and a main control electromagnet for actuating said lever system to control .the contact members, each of said electroma nets being energized in accordance with bot the voltage and the current conditions obtaining in said regulated circuit.

2. An electrical regulator comprising a balanced lever system having cooperating contact members, and a vibrating and a main control electromagnet for actuating said system to control the contact members, each of said electromagnets being energized by two windings that are severally excited I in accordance with different electrical conditions.

3. An electrical regulator comprising cooperating contact members for governing the voltage of a polyphase system, and a :vibrating and a main control electromagnet for actuating said contact members, each of said electromagnets being energized by two windings, one winding of each electromagnet being energized in accordance with the volta e of the olyphase system and the second winding eing energized in accordance with the current flowing through cordance with the current and the voltage the polyphase system, corresponding windings on both electromagnets being interconnected.

4. An electrical regulator comprising a balanced lever system having cooperating contact members for governing the voltage of a polyphase system, and electromagnets for actuating said contact members, each of said electromagnets being energized by two windings that are severally energized in acobtaining in the polyphase system, corresponding windings on both electromagnets being energized in accordance with the same electrical quantity andthe currents flowing through the two windings of each magnet being in phase with each other.

' 5. A regulator for analternating-current system which comprises cooperating contact members, a lever for actuating one of said members, two windings respectively energized in accordance with the voltage and the current obtaining in the alternatingcurrent system and having currents flowing in a balanced relation, and two windings having currents flowing in phase'through them and serving to influence said second lever in accordance'with both voltage and current conditions obtaining in the regulated circuit.

6. An electrical regulator comprising cooperating contact members for governing the voltage of a polyphase system, a vibrating and a main control electromagnet for actuating said contact members, each of said electromagnets having two windin severally energized in accordance with vo tage and current conditions obtaining in the polyphase system, and adjustable means for proportionately varying the excitation of one pair of corresponding windings.

7. The combination with a polyphase electrical circuit to be regulated, of a regulator comprising cooperatlng contact members,

levers, each of said electromagnets beingv -energized both in accordance with the voltage and current conditions obtaining in said regulated circuit, and means for proportionately varying the excitation of corresponding windings of both electromagnets.

8. The combination with an alternatingcurrent circuit to be regulated, of a regulator comprising cooperatin contact members, a main control and a vi rating electromagnet for effecting engagement between said contact members, each of said electromagnets having two windings severally energized in accordance with the voltage and the current conditions obtaining in said regulated circuit, and means for simultaneously varying the excitation of the corresponding windings in the two electromagnets.

9. An electrical regulator comprising cooperating contact members for governing the voltage of a polyphase system, electroma ets for effecting engagement between sai contact members, each of said electromagnets having a current winding and a voltage winding severally energized in accordance with the voltage and the current mages gers attached to said levers, and energizing coils for said-plungers which are severally advanced into the energizing coils in the same direction when the coils are properly energized.

11. In an electrical system, a regulator comprising cooperating contact members, a balanced lever system connected to one of said contact members, and means comprising a main control and a vibratin magnet for operating the lever system, t e armature cores of said electromagnets being connected to said lever system and being normally lifted vertically upwardly when the coils are properly energized.

12.-In a polyphase electrical system, an electrical regulator comprising cooperating contact members, balanced levers connected to one of said contact members, and a main control and a vibrating magnet, each of said magnets having a core armature connected to the lever system, and two windings, the windings of each electromagnet being respectively energized in accordance with the voltage and the current in the polyphase system, and the core armatures being normally disposed below the associated electromagnets in order that the cores may be lifted vertically when the electromagnets are energized.

13. In an electrical regulator, cooperating contact members, a lever system comprising two balanced levers for actuating one of said contact members, one of said levers being fulcrumed on the other lever electromagnets for respectively actuatlng said levers, and a tensional spring for restraining movement of the first lever which serves as a fulcrum for the second lever, the electromagnet associated with the first lever serving to relieve the tension on said spring when energized.

14. In a polyphase system, an electrical regulator comprising cooperating contact members, a lever for actuating one of said members, an electromagnet comprising two windings for actuating said lever, a second lever having its fulcrum above that of the aforesaid lever and providing a fulcrum therefor, a second electromagnet having two energizing windings, the windings of each electromagnet being respectively energized in. accordance with the voltage and the current obtaining in the polyphase system, and a!- plunger influenced by the second electromagnet and attached to said second lever, said plunger being normall disposed below the center of its associate windings in order to exert a thrust on said second lever when said windings are normally energized.

15 In a polyphase system, an electrical regulator comprising cooperating contact members, a lever for actuating one of said members, an electromagnet having two windings for actuating said lever, a second lever having a fulcrum above that of the aforesaid lever and providing a fulcrum therefor, a second electromagnet having two energizing windings, the windings of each electromagnet being energized respectively in accordance with the voltage and the current obtaining in the polyphase system, a plunger influenced by the second electromagnet and attached to said second lever, said plunger being normally disposed below the center of its associated windin s, and a non-magnetizable member locate above said associated windings for balancing said second lever.

16. A regulator comprising two levers one of which furnishes a fulcrum for the other, means for balancing said levers in order to prevent creeping, an electromagnet for imparting a horizontal reciprocatory movement to one of said levers, an inclined contact member attached thereto, and an inclined stationary contact member with which said first contact member engages when subjected to a horizontal reciprocatory movement.

17. A regulator comprising two levers one of which serves as afulcrum for the other, means for balancing said levers, electromagnets for operating said levers, the fulcrumed one being oscillated by one electromagnet and the other lever imparting a horizontal reciprocatory movement to the fulcrumed one, an inclined contact member on said fulcrumed lever, and an inclined stationary contact member with which said movable contact member engages.

18. In an electrical system, a regulator comprising cooperating contact members, a lever system connected to one of said contact members, and means comprising a main control and a vibrating magnet for operat ing the lever system, said lever system being balanced to prevent any? creeping action upon deenergization of said magnets.

19. In an electrical system, a regulator comprising cooperating contact members, a lever system connected to one of said contact members, and means comprising two electromagnets for operating thelever system, said lever system being balanced to prevent an creeping to an extreme position upon eenergization of said magnets.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 23d day of Aut 1916. i ALLEN A. TIRRILL. 

